Attachment_A_-_Questions_and_Answers-140G0225Q0118_0001.pdf
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- Attached to
- MULTICOLLECTOR ICP-MS
- Solicitation number
- 140G0225Q0118
About this file
The document is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) attachment for a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (140G0225Q0118) for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The solicitation seeks to purchase one new Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) with associated components, including hardware, software, warranty, shipping, delivery, installation, calibration, testing, and training for the USGS Mercury Research Laboratory in Madison, WI.
The Q&A document addresses vendor concerns about overly restrictive specifications that appeared to favor a specific manufacturer. In response, USGS made several specification changes: removing the requirement for fully automated collector cup position setting, modifying peripheral control specifications to be more vendor-neutral, and adjusting the language around future instrument upgrade capabilities to provide more flexibility for potential bidders.
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Attachment A
Questions and Answers
Combined Synopsis/Solictation 140G0225Q0118
Purchase one (1) new Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer
(MC-ICP-MS) and associated components, all required hardware, software, warranty, shipping, delivery, installation, calibration, testing and training for The U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) Mercury Research Laboratory (MRL) at Upper Midwest Water Science
Center, Madison, WI.
1. Question #1:
“While the posted solicitation no longer calls for a “Brand Name or Equivalent of the
Thermo Fischer Neoma MC-ICP-MS” instrument, there still exists many hardware restrictive specification that only the Thermo Fischer instrument will be compliant. Many of these specifications are masked by software requirements to control restrictive hardware features such as specification 15.e “Ability to set collector cup positions”. This software requirement assumes the hardware requirement of “movable collectors” to which we requested removal from the prior RFQ and for which the USGS obliged. There are still many other hardware restrictive requirements and/or software requirements that assume hardware restrictions that have no bearing on the instrument performance and the data quality produced.”
USGS’s Responses:
The Government has reviewed the specifications and the following changes have been made:
1. Specification Number 10. has been changed:
From:
10. Instrument must have at least 11 Faraday cups. This configuration should be capable of simultaneously measuring isotope ratios for masses between 198-205
(i.e., 198-Hg, 199-Hg, 200-Hg, 201-Hg, 202-Hg, 203-Tl, 204-Hg, and 205-Tl) within a single analysis and allow for the optimization of cup positions within the instrument software.
To:
10. Instrument must have at least 11 Faraday cups. This configuration should be capable of simultaneously measuring isotope ratios for masses between 198-205
(i.e., 198-Hg, 199-Hg, 200-Hg, 201-Hg, 202-Hg, 203-Tl, 204-Hg, and 205-Tl) within a single analysis.
Attachment A
Questions and Answers
Combined Synopsis/Solictation 140G0225Q0118
Purchase one (1) new Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer
(MC-ICP-MS) and associated components, all required hardware, software, warranty, shipping, delivery, installation, calibration, testing and training for The U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) Mercury Research Laboratory (MRL) at Upper Midwest Water Science
Center, Madison, WI.
2. Removed Specification Number 15.e.: Ability to set collector cup positions
(fully automated) in its entirety.
3. Specification Number 15.i. has been changed and is now under Number 15.h.:
h. Ability to control peripherals such as desolvating nebulizers and autosamplers
(without the use of third-party software).
h. Ability to control peripherals such as autosamplers or other sample introduction systems.
4. Specification Number 16. has been changed:
16. The instrument must have the capability for future upgrade to an MS/MS option made up of a collision/reaction cell with a pre-cell mass filter. All settings
(e.g. filters, slits, and gas flows) within this region shall be software controlled without the need to break vacuum.
16. The instrument must have the capability for future upgrade or conversion to an MS/MS option made up of a collision/reaction cell with a pre-cell mass filter to accommodate expanding analytical capabilities within the laboratory.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .